The people of Manus will still push for an Open Forum with the Australian and PNG government regarding the Off Shore Processing Centre.
The people, through Maus Manus Forum Development and the Manus Professional elites, have had 2 meetings so far regarding a planned forum.
A meeting today is the last before they present their frustrations for missing out on economic and social benefits from the regional processing Centre.
Speaking from Manus today, spokesperson of Maus Manus forum development, Benjamin Pokarup, said they are still determined for their demands to be met or otherwise the center will be closed.
Pokarup said the recent business forums conducted by the Australians is only beneficial to a minority from the business community.
However, the Australian government told a media conference this morning that locals and local contractors are benefiting from the resettlement processing center.
Australia says Papua New Guineans including 580 from Manus are currently employed to provide services at the regional center.
Locals are also employed to assist with construction works at the center.
Despite this, the Manus people have raised concerns about missing out on business spinoffs from the establishment of processing center.
The second meeting today with the associations and the provincial government, flagged an open forum planned for Friday the 31st of January where the people will present their demands to both governments
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Us-dtP04eFA%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
